Gaming machine having compound win line

Abstract

A gaming machine has a plurality of symbol-bearing reels which are rotated to place the symbols in visual association with a win line. When the reels are brought to a halt, at least one symbol from each reel is associated with the win line. However, the win line has at least two indicating portions so that on one of the reels, two symbols are associated with the win line. Thus, a displayed game outcome includes at least one symbol from each of the reels and two symbols from one of the reels.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A gaming machine, comprising: a plurality of symbol-bearing reels;   a game outcome display area; and   a win line defining a single winning game outcome positioned on said display area relative to said reels so that when said reels are stationary, at least one symbol that forms a part of a winning game outcome from each reel is visually associated with said win line to indicate a winning game outcome, wherein said win line includes at least two indicating portions so that at least two symbols that form a part of a winning game outcome from one of said reels are visually associated with said win line to indicate the winning game outcome wherein the required number of symbols on said win line is at least one greater that the number of reels.   
     
     
       2. The gaming machine of claim 1 wherein said win line includes at least three indicating portions, the first indicating portion associated with all of said reels, the second and third indicating portions each associated with less than all of said reels. 
     
     
       3. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said plurality of reels comprises at least three reels and said second and third indicating portions are each associated with only one of said reels. 
     
     
       4. The gaming machine of claim 3 having three reels arranged left, right and center, wherein said second and third indicating portions are each associated with said center reel. 
     
     
       5. The gaming machine of claim 4 wherein said three indicating portions are arranged upper, middle and lower, with said second indicating portion being upper, and said third indicating portion being lower. 
     
     
       6. The gaming machine of claim 2 wherein said plurality of reels comprises at least four reels, and said second and third indicating portions are each associated with only two of said reels. 
     
     
       7. A gaming machine, comprising: a win line having a plurality of indicating portions and defining a single winning game outcome;   game display means for displaying a plurality of progressions of symbols along said win line indicating portions, wherein the combination of those symbols from each of the progressions which are visually associated with said win line define a displayed winning game outcome; and   wherein at least two of said win line indicating portions are associated with the same one of the progressions of symbols, said at least two indicating portions being spaced apart to indicate at least two separate symbols of the progression, so that the displayed game outcome includes at least two symbols from the same progression, wherein the required number of symbols on said win line is at least one greater than the number progressions.   
     
     
       8. The gaming machine of claim 7 wherein said game display means includes a plurality of symbol-bearing reels, and each of the progressions is the sequence of symbols displayed as a particular reel rotates. 
     
     
       9. The gaming machine of claim 8 wherein said win line includes at least three indicating portions, the first indicating portion associated with all of said reels, the second and third indicating portions each associated with less than all of said reels. 
     
     
       10. The gaming machine of claim 9 wherein said plurality of reels comprises at least three reels, and said second and third indicating portions are each associated with only one of said reels. 
     
     
       11. The gaming machine of claim 10 having three reels-arranged left, right and center, wherein said second and third indicating portions are each associated with said center reel. 
     
     
       12. The gaming machine of claim 7 wherein said game display means includes a video display which displays the progressions. 
     
     
       13. The gaming machine of claim 12 wherein the progressions are displayed as facsimiles of spinning reels. 
     
     
       14. The gaming machine of claim 7 wherein said win line includes at least three indicating portions, the first indicating portion associated with all of the progressions, the second and third indicating portions each associated with less than all of the progressions. 
     
     
       15. The gaming machine of claim 14 having at least three progressions, wherein said second and third indicating portion lines are each associated with only one progression. 
     
     
       16. The gaming machine of claim 15 having three progressions, which are arranged left, right and center, wherein said second and third indicating portions are each associated with the center progression. 
     
     
       17. A method for indicating a winning game outcome in a gaming machine, comprising the steps of: providing a win line defining a single winning game outcome and having a plurality of indicating portions;   rotating a plurality of symbol-bearing reels so that the symbols from each reel sequentially pass the win line; and   halting rotation of the reels so that at least one symbol that forms a part of a winning game outcome from each reel, and two symbols that forms a part of winning game outcome from at least one reel, are visually associated with the win line, wherein the required number of symbols on said win line is at least one greater than the number of reels.